After a car accident stole his dreams of pro football, JT McKinney has made a new life for himself far away from his old one. He spends his time in a prosthetic research and development facility, his attention on machines instead of people until a chance meeting with a young mother and her five year old daughter who need his help. He'll have to let go of the past if he wants a future.

“Told you he was interested,” Jenny said, sliding up beside her.“He wanted to talk to me about Casey.”“Then what are you doing over here? My God, he’s melting my eyeballs and he wants to be your hero? I’d kill you if I didn’t love you. Go.” Jenny gave her a not so gentle nudge in his direction and followed behind. “Hello, hotness. Paige here has to eat before she goes to her next job. Sit,” she told Paige. “And order something or I’ll do it for you.”Paige sat down across from him and glanced at her watch. She only had about twenty minutes.“Brussel sprouts it is.” Jenny pretended to write on her pad.“Okay. Grilled cheese. To go. I’ll eat it in the car.”“She’s single by the way. Just in case you want to store that info away for another day.”“I’m sorry. Jenny is…”“Not married,” Jenny offered with a wink, walking away.

“Impulsive,” Paige muttered as the nerves settled in her stomach at being left alone with him.

“I'm Jake."

His voice was deep and smooth with just that one word as he held out his hand and she slid her palm against his. It was hot, strong, and slightly rough and her heart came up into her throat. A simple handshake but…when a man who could melt your eyeballs took your hand, stared into your eyes with his own deep brown ones, it felt like...a lot more than a handshake.

New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. Always a lover of happy endings, she enjoys movies, reading, and spending her days putting on paper the stories in her head. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three daughters.